Anaa

Infobox Islands
name =Anaa


image caption = NASA picture of Anaa Atoll
locator

native name = Timanu, Karere
native name link =
location =Pacific Ocean
coordinates=coord|17|20|S|145|30|W|region:PF_type:isle|display=inline,title
archipelago = Tuamotu archipelago
total islands =
major islands =
area = 55.95 km²
highest mount =
elevation =
country =France
country admin divisions title =commune
country admin divisions =Anaa (French Polynesia)
country largest city =Tukuhora
country largest city population =
population =639
population as of =2002
density =11
ethnic groups =

Anaa , Nganaa-nui (or Ara-ura) is an atoll in the Tuamotu archipelago, in French Polynesia. It is located in the northwest of the archipelago, 350 km to the east of Tahiti. It oval in shape, 29.5 km in length and 6.5 km wide, with a total area 38 km². The atoll is made up by eleven small barren islands with deeper and more fertile soil than other atolls in the Tuamotus. The lagoon is shallow, without entrance, and formed by three main basins. Although it does not have any navigable entrance, the water of the lagoon renews by several small channels that can be crossed walking.

The main village is Tukuhora, also called Anaa, with a total population of 435 according to the census of 2002. The other small villages like Temarie, Otepipi, Mania and Tematahoa were uninhabited according to the census. The population subsists mainly on the fishing, the cultivation of nacre and the production of copra.

History

The atoll of Anaa was known by the legendary cruelty of its soldiers who in the 17th century, dominated the northwest of the Tuamotus.

The first recorded European to sight the atoll was James Cook, in 1769. Because of its shape, he called it "Chain Island". Later, Anaa was visited by Spanish explorer Domingo de Boenechea, on November 1 of 1772, who called it "Isla de Todos los Santos" (All Saints Island).

At the beginning of the 19th century, control of the Atoll went to the Pomaré of Tahiti. Around 1850 Anaa was an active center of the nacre commerce and copra, with a maximum population of 2,000. The missionary competition between Mormons of North America and French Catholics led to a revolt in 1852, and an intervention by French colonial troops.

In 1878 and 1906 Anaa suffered severe hurricane damages and was completely flooded. After the hurricane of 1983, the only village was moved and reconstructed, incorporating a refuge shelter with capacity for all its population.

Anaa has a territorial airport which was inaugurated in 1976.

Commune of Anaa

Anaa is the capital of the commune (municipality) that also includes the associated commune of Faaite with the atoll of Faaite and the uninhabited atolls of Tahanea and Motutunga.

Overview

Faaite

Faaite is an atoll located 60 km to the north of Anaa. The total surface of the atoll is of 230 km². Its dry land area has a surface of 9 km². The inner lagoon has a navigable channel to the ocean. The main village is Hitianau, with a total population of 246. It was discovered by John Turnbull in 1802, the first retailer of the Pacific who used the route of Tahiti to Hawaii. Historically the atoll also has been known as Miloradovich.

Tahanea

Tahanea is an atoll of 63 km² , with three passages towards the interior of the lagoon. It is uninhabited and it visited occasionally. It was discovered by Domingo Bonaechea in 1772, who called it San Julian. It has also been known as Tchitschagof.

Motutunga

Motutunga is an uninhabited atoll, with a passage to the interior of the nonnavigable lagoon. Domingo Bonaechea called it San Blas. It has also been known as Adventure Island.

References

* [http://www.oceandots.com/pacific/tuamotu/anaa.htm]
* [http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_8_1899/Volume_8,_No._4,_December_1899/Names_of_the_Paumotu_Islands,_by_J.L._Young,_p_264-268?action=null Alternative names]

External links

* [http://www.pacific-image.pf/pages/boutic/dboutic_cdrom_sp132.html Atoll list (in French)]